Thiago is said to be available for just €18 million (around £15.4m) due to a clause in his contract under which the figure dropped temporarily when he played less than 60% of Barca's games last term. This opportunity, which has alerted a host of European clubs, runs out at the end of July when his price will return to €90 million (£77m).

Thiago himself repeatedly declined to talk about his future during the Under-21 Championship, but speculation only escalated after "see you in Manchester" was written on the player's match ball from the final.

Amateur sleuths in both the Spanish and English media quickly concluded the message must have been written by United goalkeeper David de Gea, and meant the two were sure to be playing together at Old Trafford next season.

One United source did tell ESPN that the club have been "quietly confident" of securing the player, but Chelsea's interest has concerned them. Like the Premier League champions, the Blues are intent on significantly enhancing their midfield this summer.

Thiago's first choice is understood to have always been linking up with Pep Guardiola again at Bayern Munich, but the Champions League winners have as of yet shown no real interest beyond mild enquiries.